Chelsea could step up their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao by using goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as a bargaining tool in negotiations.

The young Belgian international is currently in his second season on loan at the Spanish club and has caught the eye with a series of mature performances, helping Madrid to last season’s Europa League title, while the club are sitting second – ahead of rivals Real – in La Liga this term.

But it now seems Chelsea could be willing to sacrifice the man being touted at Petr Cech’s successor in order to strike a deal to bring the in-demand Falcao to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Thibaut Courtois could be making a permanent move to Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

With their £50m striker Fernando Torres still struggling for consistent goalscoring form, the Blues are contemplating blowing their rivals for Falcao’s signature out of the water with a bid of £47m plus Courtois to ensure they land the Colombian, according to Spanish newspaper El Economista.

Falcao has netted 22 goals in 21 appearances for Atletico this season, including his side’s only strike in their 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano yesterday, while Torres has just 15 goals to his name in his 41 outings for Chelsea since August.